Do you want to know how to play roulette online, but aren’t sure where to start? Every player, even our own casino experts; began right here. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of playing roulette, betting strategies, and common beginner mistakes – all tested across real Canadian online casinos by our knowledgeable team.
How Does the Roulette Wheel Work?
Now that you understand the basics of how to play online roulette, it’s time to delve into roulette odds and payout.
The roulette table layout includes these same numbers and also includes outside betting areas like ‘red or black’, ‘even or odd’, and ‘1–18/19–36’. These sections represent group bets covering multiple outcomes. Here is a quick rundown of the different types of roulette bets and their payout ratios:
Inside bets
| Bet Type | Covers | Payout | Risk Level |
| Straight Up | One number | 35:1 | High |
| Split | Two numbers | 17:1 | Medium |
| Street | Three numbers | 11:1 | Medium |
| Corner | Four numbers | 8:1 | Medium |
| Six Line | Six numbers | 5:1 | Lower |
Outside bets
| Bet Type | Covers | Payout | Risk Level |
| Red or Black | 18 numbers | 1:1 | Low |
| Even or Odd | 18 numbers | 1:1 | Low |
| High or Low | 18 numbers | 1:1 | Low |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2:1 | Medium |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 | Medium |
Popular Roulette Betting Systems
Just remember that none of these systems guarantee success, they simply add structure to your play. Roulette outcomes are still entirely random.
Below are some standard roulette betting systems popular with Canadian players:
- Martingale system – double your bet after each loss to recover previous losses and win a small profit when you eventually win.
- Paroli system – increase your bet after wins, not losses, to capitalize on streaks.
- Fibonacci system – bet following the Fibonacci sequence to manage bankroll risk.
- Labouchère system – cancel numbers in a sequence to control win or loss progression.
Here are all the betting strategies for online roulette:
Understanding gambler’s fallacy
The most common mistake players make is believing that past spins affect future results. This is called “gambler’s fallacy”. The idea that if red has hit five times in a row, black must be next. In truth, every spin is independent and unaffected by previous outcomes.
Is There a Trick to Roulette? Can You Increase Your Winning Odds?
If anyone tells you there’s a guaranteed way to win at roulette, they’re lying. Roulette is a game of chance, and online versions use RNG technology to ensure fairness. In our experience, European roulette consistently offers better returns than American variants. Focus on strategies that balance risk and longevity rather than chasing big jackpots.
Understanding the Different types of roulette
There are primarily three variations: European, American, and French. Each has its unique layout and house edge. Here are a few key differences between each variant:
| Game Features | French Roulette | European Roulette | American Roulette |
| Wheel Layout | Single Zero (0) | Single Zero (0) | Single Zero (0) and Double Zero (00) |
| House Edge | 2.7% | 2.7% | 5.26% |
| Number of Pockets | 37 | 37 | 38 |
| Betting Options | Standard + Additional French Bets (e.g., Voisins du Zéro) | Standard | Standard |
| ‘La Partage’ Rule | Yes (Half back on even money bets when ball lands on 0) | No | No |
| ‘En Prison’ Rule | Yes (Option to leave the bet for the next spin if the ball lands on 0) | No | No |
| Racetrack Bets | Yes | Dependent on the Casino | No |
Five Curious Facts About Roulette
Play Roulette in a Casino Responsibly
By now, you should understand how to play online roulette in Canada – from wheel mechanics to roulette payouts and odds, not to mention fallacies to avoid. Remember, roulette is luck-based, and no strategy removes the house edge. Play for fun, set limits, and enjoy the game responsibly.
For more tips on staying safe, visit our responsible gambling guide or check our list of verified Canadian casinos.
More Casino Guides for Experienced Canadian Gamblers
Our experts have created detailed casino guides to help you play smarter and make the most of your online gaming experience.
FAQ
Yes, online roulette is available in every province and territory in Canada. Just make sure that you play at a legit online casino with a valid license. In Ontario, this means you should play at online casinos with iGaming Ontario licenses. Outside of Ontario, look for licenses from agencies like the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission.
There is no guaranteed way to win money playing roulette. It is a game of chance with everything relying completely on luck. The best thing you can do is play for fun rather than expecting certain returns.
The best roulette bet is an even bet on black or red. On a standard European roulette wheel, this bet has a 48.60% chance of paying out. With an American roulette wheel, your odds of winning are 47.40%.
Betting on black (or red) pays out 1:1, so if you bet $100, you’ll win your $100 back plus another $100 for a total payout of $200.
There are tons of roulette strategies, like the Martingale, Paroli, and Fibonacci betting systems. The fact is that none of them guarantee wins. At best, they can help players stay organized and on top of their bankroll management.
